Weekend Recap: Keystone Kickoff & More – September 20-22, 2024

by ECHC Communications

This weekend saw a host of exhibition games as teams from across all 3 of our divisions showcased their skills in preparation for the 2024-25 season. The Keystone Kickoff tournament featured exciting matchups, while other programs squared off in early season contests.

Purple Division:

Quinnipiac University Rolls in Exhibition: Quinnipiac University faced off against Babson College (DII, NEIHC) in a one-game exhibition and cruised to a 6-0 victory, proving they are ready to be a force in the Purple Division this season.

University of Delaware Dominates Keystone Kickoff: The University of Delaware (DI, ECHC) had a stellar performance at the Keystone Kickoff, winning all three of their exhibition games. They started with a narrow 2-1 victory over Penn State Harrisburg (DII, DVCHC) on Friday before cruising to a 10-3 blowout against Farmingdale State College (DII) on Saturday. Delaware wrapped up the weekend with a commanding 6-0 shutout against Ramapo College of New Jersey on Sunday.

Black Division:

Columbia University Wins in Overtime Thriller Columbia University played a thrilling exhibition game against the University of Pennsylvania (ACHA M2), emerging victorious 8-7 in overtime.

Farmingdale State Struggles at Keystone Kickoff: Farmingdale State College (DII) faced a challenging weekend. They tied High Point University (DII, ACCHL) 3-3 in their opening game on Friday but suffered a heavy 10-3 defeat to Delaware on Saturday. Their weekend concluded with a tough 4-3 loss to Penn State Harrisburg (DII, DVCHC) on Sunday.

Fordham University Secures Win Over Hofstra: Fordham University (DII, ECHC) played one exhibition game against local rival Hofstra University (DIII, ECHC) and came out on top with a 4-1 victory.

Ramapo College Battles at Keystone Kickoff: Ramapo College had an up-and-down weekend at the Keystone Kickoff. They dropped their first game to Kutztown University (DII, DVCHC), 3-2, on Friday but rebounded with a 4-3 win against SUNY-Fredonia (DII, UNYCHL) on Saturday. Unfortunately, they couldn’t carry that momentum into Sunday, falling 6-0 to Delaware.

Sacred Heart University’s Mixed Weekend: Sacred Heart University started strong at the Keystone Kickoff with two victories. They defeated SUNY-Fredonia (DII, UNYCHL) 3-2 on Friday and followed it up with a 4-3 win against Penn State Harrisburg (DII, DVCHC) on Saturday. However, their weekend ended on a sour note with a 7-1 loss to 2024 AAU College Hockey National Championship DII semifinalist, High Point University (DII, ACCHL) on Sunday.

Silver Division:

Hofstra Falls to Fordham in Exhibition Match: Hofstra University faced off against Fordham University in an exhibition game, with Fordham securing a 4-1 win.

Stony Brook University Cruises Past SUNY Maritime: Stony Brook University (ACHA M2) dominated SUNY Maritime College (ACHA M3) in their exhibition, winning 6-1.

Stevens Institute of Technology Falls to Rowan: Stevens Institute of Technology faced a tough loss in their lone exhibition game, dropping a 4-0 decision to Rowan University (DIII, ACCHL).

First Career Goals: A special congratulations to the following players who scored their first career collegiate goals this weekend:

  • Ramapo College of New Jersey: Adam Moskal and Jacob Hepburn
  • Sacred Heart University: Victor D’Errico and Ryan Walsh
  • Farmingdale State College (DII): Bryan Slattery and Derek Scheben
  • Columbia University: Christopher Lerner, Baker Fox, and Brendan Preskar

With exhibition play in full swing, teams are working out the kinks and showing early promise as they prepare for the regular season, which kicks off this Friday.

Photo Credit: Justin Strohm I @strohmie13 (Instagram) I DVCHC